Relations between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Governor’s office in West Bengal took a fresh turn after Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar, on a visit to the state Assembly, found the gate locked.
Speaking to reporters outside a locked Gate No 3 of the Assembly — the gate designated for the Governor — Dhankhar told reporters that he had written to the Speaker stating that since the Assembly was adjourned for two days, it would be a good opportunity for him to “visit the historical background of the Assembly”.
On reaching the Assembly on Thursday, however, Dhankhar found the gate closed.
When Dhankhar finally managed to enter the Assembly, through another gate meant for mediapersons and other, inside he found “deathly silence”.
Dhankhar claimed that the Speaker’s office had spoken to his office, saying that he would be delighted to receive Dhankhar and his wife for lunch. The invitation was cancelled at the last moment, Dhankhar added.
“The Assembly being adjourned does not mean it is closed. The Governor's gate being locked has put our democratic history to shame," he said.
“I found deathly silence inside. That too on a working day. The secretaries have been directed to leave the place. This has never happened in the history of this country. Even if the Governor comes on a Sunday, the Assembly should be open. That is our culture. This is a sad day for democracy. I wondered, “Itna sannata kyun hai?”West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar
The West Bengal Assembly was adjourned for two days on Tuesday, 3 December, over “delay by the Governor in clearing important bills”.
On Wednesday, the governor visited Calcutta University, of which he is the Chancellor, to find it deserted, with not even the Vice-Chancellor in office. The Governor then hit out at the West Bengal government for stagnation in educational institutions.
The Trinamool government and Governor Dhankhar have been at loggerheads since the latter joined office earlier this year.
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